Before They Grow Stubble, I Want Them To Know This

My boys are growing up so fast. I’m sure that before I know it, they’ll have finished school, be driving cars and finally have grown out of their fussy eater stages and will be eating us out of house and home.

But before they grow stubble and grow up, there are so many things I’d like to make sure they know.

Here are just a few of them:

Laugh every day. Life is far too short to not be laughing.
When you do laugh, make sure it isn’t at someone’s expense.
Vegetables will not kill you. Unless a tonne of carrots falls on you, you’ll be ok just eating them.
Don’t pick your nose in public.
Be kind to others.
Dirty clothes go IN the wash basket, not on the floor next to it. A magical fairy will not pick them up for you when you don’t live at home. That magical fairy who currently picks the clothes up is your mother.
Read as many books as you can.
Never lose your imagination.
Yes, you do need to brush your teeth twice a day, even when you’re a grown up.
I truly hope that you have the opportunity to become a Lego Master Builder, or whatever career you dream of.
Change your undies regularly.
Don’t cheat.
When you shower, you need to use shampoo and soap. Just standing there under the water doesn’t count.
Learn how to stack the dishwasher and do the washing. Not only will it ensure your own home is clean, your future partner will appreciate it too.
Tell the truth, but be careful of other’s feelings.
Look after your friends.
No matter what happens, your father and I will always be on your side and will be proud of you.
Farts aren’t really that funny, so it is best to not laugh hysterically when someone does one.

What are some things you’d like to make sure your kids know? Please share with us in the comments below.

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30 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 06 Jan 2022
    10:24 am
If you are raising boys then you have a huge responsibility because you are raising a future boyfriend, husband, father.

- - celebrity said
  - 26 Jul 2020
    1:50 pm
You are never too old for a hug! Great article.

- - BellaB said
  - 16 Jul 2020
    8:09 pm
We have just hit the age where most of these are so, so relevant.

- - mom81879 said
  - 20 May 2019
    6:52 pm
One exception, farts really are that funny and there’s nothing wrong with laughing hysterically at them lol

- - tessie said
  - 21 Aug 2018
    8:56 am
I love all of these little sayings. I have always believed in them and hope other people see the wisdom in the words

- - rovermum said
  - 06 Aug 2018
    11:14 am
I love this. I’ve just shared it with my teenage son.

- - Ellen said
  - 05 Aug 2018
    7:39 am
Good points !
Happiness, love, respect and care are of higher value then money career and goods. You’re never too old for hugs and reaching out to other is beautiful and cool.

- - musicmum said
  - 04 Aug 2018
    1:08 am
What is it with boys and undies? My 17 year old still leaves his undies on the floor, and walks over them, he says he does not see them,and if you say why did you not put them in the basket, classic answer to most things “I forgot”. But on the positive side he eats lots of fruit and veg so is really healthy.

- - ella12 said
  - 16 Feb 2016
    11:59 am
Great tips, thank you for sharing.

- - rachelvk said
  - 02 Feb 2016
    10:19 pm
Embrace everybody’s differences. Be thankful for what you have. Always be yourself. It’s Okay to Make Mistakes ..

- - Mummytoabeautifulprincess said
  - 03 Jan 2016
    11:47 pm
To live life to the fullest. Make yourself happy and that there will always be a soft place to fall at home

- - pakeko said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    7:59 pm
That no matter the time if day if you need me I will be there

- - linaianna said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    8:54 am
Thanks for sharing this with me great read good tips

- - curlytops said
  - 29 Dec 2015
    9:31 pm
Always use your manners and treat people with kindness and respect.
Do things that make you happy.
- june11 replied
  
  19 Jan 2016 , 5:33 pm
  My thoughts exactly, had I not read the answers already submitted including yours that were the first things I noticed missing. Some young ones show their elders no respect at all and seem to have lost their manners. I can remember my Grandma asking my cousin if she left her manners at home.
  It seems as though from about 8 y.o. they think they are too big to use manners. I have news for my kids, believe me. No”please” they are ignored and don’t get what they ask for. No “thank you” – they aren’t actually handed it until they do, and if they take it they have it taken away from them until they do say thank you.
- - ams78 said
  - 08 Dec 2015
    10:33 pm
Never stop dreaming, never stop chasing your dreams.
Manners will always get you a long way.
No matter how old you get, you’ll always be mummys little man!
What a lovely article!

- - mom94125 said
  - 03 Dec 2015
    4:51 pm
ah yeah i was nodding and agreeing to every point until the last one- SORRY but farts are hilarious! even funnier if they are mine.

very sweet to think of your child’s future partner- she will thank you for raising a gentleman

- - mom160421 said
  - 27 Nov 2015
    12:56 pm
Not only do I agree with all the points in Emma’s list, but I also think we have some very clever MoMs here – I agree with their comments also.

- - robyn_smithwick said
  - 26 Nov 2015
    8:14 pm
This is what I would like my boys to know and I think they do. They are grown men now 42 and 36 .

- - pplover2013 said
  - 26 Nov 2015
    2:31 pm
Love this Emma! As the mother of 2 toddler boys I can relate to some of these and laugh to myself about others as I know what’s coming in the years to come.

- - rovermum said
  - 26 Nov 2015
    11:16 am
You have nailed it. I laughed at loud at this. I have a teen son and this could have been written to and for him.